Butter Pecan Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the rich flavors of butter and toasted pecans into soft, chewy cookies. Perfect for holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, these cookies are not only easy to make but also a crowd-pleaser. The unique combination of textures and flavors makes them stand out, ensuring every bite is memorable.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Prepare: With just a few simple steps, you can whip up a batch in no time.
- Delicious Flavor: The blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, and toasted pecans creates an irresistible taste.
- Versatile Treat: Great for any occasion—holidays, parties, or just a cozy night at home.
- Perfect Texture: Soft and chewy with a slight crunch from the nuts, these cookies offer the best of both worlds.
- Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried fruit for extra flair.
Tools and Preparation
To create the perfect Butter Pecan Cookies, having the right tools is essential. This ensures a smooth baking process and delicious results.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cookie tray
- Parchment paper
Importance of Each Tool
- Mixing bowl: A sturdy bowl allows for easy mixing of ingredients without spills.
- Electric mixer or whisk: Helps achieve that light and fluffy texture in your dough.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are key to perfect cookies every time.
Ingredients
Easy, soft and chewy butter pecan cookies recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. Loaded with toasted pecans. Great for Christmas and Thanksgiving!
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Butter (Unsalted, Melted, Should be cooled so that it’s warm and not very hot)
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- 2 Eggs (Large)
- 1.5 tsp Vanilla extract
- 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 1.5 cups Pecans (Roughly chopped, Unsalted, Preferably toasted)
- 1/2 cup Toffee bits (Optional)
How to Make Butter Pecan Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the melted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the large eggs along with vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix until smooth.
Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Add all-purpose flour, cinnamon powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder to the mixture. Stir until just combined; avoid overmixing.
Step 4: Fold in Pecans and Toffee Bits
Gently mix in roughly chopped pecans and optional toffee bits until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover your dough in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Chill in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes; this helps firm it up for easier handling.
Step 6: Shape Cookie Balls
Scoop out small portions of dough using a spoon or cookie scoop. Roll them into balls using your hands. The dough may feel crumbly but will come together as you heat it slightly with your hands.
Step 7: Optional Sugar Coating
If desired, roll each cookie ball in granulated sugar before placing on the tray for an extra sweet touch.
Step 8: Prepare for Baking
Place each cookie dough ball onto a cookie tray lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 9: Bake
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 11-14 minutes or until cookies are golden brown with firm edges. They will puff up while baking but will deflate slightly as they cool. If you prefer flatter cookies, press down gently on each one with the back of a spoon after removing from the oven. Enjoy!
How to Serve Butter Pecan Cookies
Butter pecan cookies are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed in various ways. Whether you want to elevate your dessert experience or simply enjoy them with a warm beverage, these serving suggestions will enhance their flavor and presentation.
With Coffee
- Pairing these cookies with freshly brewed coffee enhances their buttery flavor and adds a rich contrast.
Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Create delicious ice cream sandwiches by placing a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies for a decadent dessert.
Drizzled with Chocolate
- A drizzle of melted chocolate over the top of the cookies adds a touch of sweetness and makes for an elegant presentation.
Served Warm
- Serving the cookies warm straight from the oven creates a gooey texture that many find irresistible.
With Milk
- Enjoying these cookies with a cold glass of milk is a classic combination that never disappoints.
How to Perfect Butter Pecan Cookies
To ensure your butter pecan cookies turn out perfectly every time, consider these essential tips.
- Use room temperature eggs: This helps create a smoother batter and contributes to the overall texture of the cookies.
- Chill the dough: Allowing the dough to chill for 30-45 minutes makes it easier to handle and prevents spreading during baking.
- Toast pecans: Toasting enhances the nutty flavor of pecans, making your cookies even more delicious.
- Don’t overmix: Mix just until combined; overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Check for doneness: Remove cookies from the oven when they are golden on the edges but still soft in the center for that perfect chewy texture.
- Store properly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.
Best Side Dishes for Butter Pecan Cookies
When serving butter pecan cookies, consider pairing them with these delightful side dishes for a complete experience.
- Vanilla Ice Cream – The creamy texture complements the chewy cookies perfectly.
- Fresh Fruit Salad – A light fruit salad adds freshness and balances the richness of the cookies.
- Hot Chocolate – A cozy cup of hot chocolate pairs beautifully, enhancing the buttery flavors.
- Cheese Platter – A selection of mild cheeses can provide a savory contrast to sweet cookies.
- Nutty Granola – Adding granola gives a crunchy texture that complements soft baked goods like these cookies.
- Caramel Sauce – Drizzling warm caramel sauce over butter pecan cookies brings an extra layer of sweetness and indulgence.
- Whipped Cream – A dollop of whipped cream can enhance each bite, especially if served alongside desserts like pie.
- Spiced Chai Tea – The spices in chai tea pair well with cinnamon in the cookie recipe, creating a warming effect.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making Butter Pecan Cookies can be a delightful experience, but some common mistakes can ruin your batch.
- Overmixing the dough: Mixing too long can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until combined for soft and chewy results.
- Using hot butter: If the butter is too hot when mixed, it may cause the cookies to spread too much. Allow melted butter to cool before mixing.
- Not chilling the dough: Skipping this step can result in flat cookies. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to maintain their shape.
- Ignoring ingredient temperature: Cold eggs or butter can affect texture. Use room temperature eggs for better integration into the batter.
- Neglecting to toast pecans: Raw pecans may not enhance flavor as much as toasted ones. Toasting adds depth; don’t skip this step!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Layer with parchment paper between cookies to prevent sticking.
Freezing Butter Pecan Cookies
- Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag.
- Cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating Butter Pecan Cookies
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave: Heat one cookie at a time for about 10-15 seconds.
- Stovetop: Place in a pan over low heat and cover for a few minutes until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making Butter Pecan Cookies.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can use salted butter, but you’ll need to reduce or omit added salt in the recipe.
How do I make my cookies chewier?
To achieve chewier cookies, ensure not to overbake them and consider adding an extra egg yolk for moisture.
What if I don’t have pecans?
You can substitute pecans with walnuts or leave them out entirely. The cookies will still be delicious!
Are these cookies suitable for freezing?
Yes! These Butter Pecan Cookies freeze well. Just follow proper freezing instructions above.
Final Thoughts
These Butter Pecan Cookies are perfect for any occasion, bringing warmth and joy with every bite. They are easy to customize; feel free to add chocolate chips or dried fruits for extra flavor. Give this recipe a try, and enjoy the delightful aroma and taste!
Butter Pecan Cookies
Butter Pecan Cookies are a deliciously indulgent treat that combines the rich flavors of butter and toasted pecans into soft, chewy cookies. These cookies are perfect for festive occasions like Christmas and Thanksgiving but are delightful year-round. With their unique blend of textures and flavors, they promise to be a hit at any gathering. The best part? They’re easy to make, customizable with your favorite mix-ins, and deliver an irresistible taste that will keep everyone coming back for more.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1.5 cups toasted pecans (roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie tray with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract; mix until smooth.
- Incorporate flour, cinnamon, cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder; stir until just combined.
- Fold in chopped pecans and optional toffee bits.
- Chill dough for 30-45 minutes in the refrigerator for easier handling.
- Scoop dough into balls and optionally roll in granulated sugar before placing them on the tray.
- Bake for 11-14 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (30g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
